UFCThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization, recognized as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada and is owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC. This promotion is responsible for solidifying the sport's postion in the history-books.
UFC is currently undergoing a remarkable surge in popularity, along with greater mainstream media coverage. UFC programming can now be seen on FOX, FX, and FUEL TV in the United States, as well as in 35 other countries worldwide.

I don't mind. Both of these fighters have more than proven themselves as valuable to the UFC and deserve the courtesy of refusing this one fight.

I don't see them making a habit of it.

Also, the outcome of either one winning just doesn't seem worth it.

Anderson gets both belts and then retires, leaving both spots empty? Also ruining his friend Lyoto's flawless record?

Lyoto gets both belts and then can't make weight to defend them both? or he just defends his own belt, for no reason other than to possibly allow his own belt to be taken and his record be flawed by someone under his weight class... Anyway he gets both belts, and puts a loss on his near equally untouchable friend's record.

Just give them this one.

Sensible post. On top of them both being worthy of remaining in the ufc and deserving this one break, I think most people don't mind watching Anderson have some interesting fights at LHW anyway. I really don't think it takes too much away from a lhw to get beat by Silva, except for Forrests' was sort of unexpected and embarassing to him I think. Anyway, even if Machida and Siva fought, it is clearly debatable who would win, and whoever lost would probably feel shorted, and maybe want a 2nd fight. I don't think one could smoke the other every time. It'd be worse if they were in the same class and stated they would not fight, i.e R.Evans/Keith Jardine, Mike Swick/Josh Koshchek, et.

Sensible post. On top of them both being worthy of remaining in the ufc and deserving this one break, I think most people don't mind watching Anderson have some interesting fights at LHW anyway. I really don't think it takes too much away from a lhw to get beat by Silva, except for Forrests' was sort of unexpected and embarassing to him I think. Anyway, even if Machida and Siva fought, it is clearly debatable who would win, and whoever lost would probably feel shorted, and maybe want a 2nd fight. I don't think one could smoke the other every time. It'd be worse if they were in the same class and stated they would not fight, i.e R.Evans/Keith Jardine, Mike Swick/Josh Koshchek, et.

MMA is a spectator sport. The fans are what keep it alive. The fans should get what they want. If you arent trying to please the people who pay your salary, then you are you trying to please? I dont think the demand for this fight is that high right now, but if Machida rolls off a couple of title defenses and Silva continues to do what he does best, the casual fans will start to want to see this fight just like us hardcore fans. If it comes to that, then i will be very irritated at them not fighting. We are the reason they are able to live very comfortable lives right now.

MMA is a spectator sport. The fans are what keep it alive. The fans should get what they want.

I have to say that I wonder why you think the fans are demanding this- I am a fan and I have examined their reasons for not fighting, and I am not demanding it. But even if some are, so what? These guys are champions of their respective divisions. They are not obligated to move weight classes and threaten their training partners' belts. If the fans demanded (and once again LOL) Brock vs Penn would you support that too?

I have to say that I wonder why you think the fans are demanding this- I am a fan and I have examined their reasons for not fighting, and I am not demanding it. But even if some are, so what? These guys are champions of their respective divisions. They are not obligated to move weight classes and threaten their training partners' belts. If the fans demanded (and once again LOL) Brock vs Penn would you support that too?

I said that the demand for this fight isnt that high right now. The Brock vs Penn comparison is just silly, i get that your trying to make a point but there is no reason to throw crazy, irrelovant things out there. Lyoto and Anderson both fight at lhw. Anderson has cleared out his division. Lyoto has not, my point was that if they both run out of people to fight and people (quite a few more then the people that make up these forums) really start to want this fight, i will be extremely disappointed in both of these guys. You should really read someones entire post before you criticize them.

I have to say that I wonder why you think the fans are demanding this- I am a fan and I have examined their reasons for not fighting, and I am not demanding it. But even if some are, so what? These guys are champions of their respective divisions. They are not obligated to move weight classes and threaten their training partners' belts. If the fans demanded (and once again LOL) Brock vs Penn would you support that too?

I agree i would much rather see Machida vs Rampage or Even Tito again but hes not ready.. Shogun is all they have.

MMA is a spectator sport. The fans are what keep it alive. The fans should get what they want. If you arent trying to please the people who pay your salary, then you are you trying to please? I dont think the demand for this fight is that high right now, but if Machida rolls off a couple of title defenses and Silva continues to do what he does best, the casual fans will start to want to see this fight just like us hardcore fans. If it comes to that, then i will be very irritated at them not fighting. We are the reason they are able to live very comfortable lives right now.

You have a point, we (fans, casual & hardcore) pay their salaries, and they, like all professional athletes, are ENTERTAINERS. But to even imply they are not trying to please the fans? Anderson's fight against a fellow Brazilian (like two fights ago, you know who I'm talking about)was sort of a dud, but mostly he's been one of the best fighters to watch! Machida has stated, and does appear to be trying to put on a better show in his last couple fights.

It's fun to even debate who would win, and where their strengths would likely be, and I can't say I'm not dissapointed to not see the fight. Having said that, there are some great fights left for Machida before he clears out lhw . . .. The middleweight in the ufc doesn't have that depth, but that is a little mute if Anderson is retiring anyway - Silva himself is proposing some fights I'm very interested to see. And I still hold that it is cool to see Anderson push himself even if he's not fighting for the title. It'd be epic to watch Silva/Machida fight, but those guys more than deliver entertainment (Machida better more recently, although I've enjoyed all his fights)in their fights, and you may have to be content to speculate on what outcome would result from a showdown between the two. If they were in the same division, I'd cry BS and demand the fight, but they are providing great shows w/o fighting each other, and given the separate champs, we may have to be content with what we got, which ain't bad.

I don't so much have a problem with them not wanting to fight each other, but there are dynamics involved because of this decision.

I have enjoyed seeing Anderson stay busy fighting at lhw but if he's not willing to be in the title picture he shouldn't be fighting guys who are. And if he's not fighting top guys then big deal, there should be some challenge involved.

The "superfight" is always a good thing for the fans, and I would absolutely watch those 2 fight. But I'm cool if they don't, there are a lot of good fights out there across all the divisions.